Richard Borden

Colonel Richard Borden
Richard Borden
Born	April 12, 1795(1795-04-12) Freetown, Massachusetts
Died	February 25, 1874(1874-02-25) (aged 78) Fall River, Massachusetts
Resting place	Oak Grove Cemetery, Fall River
Occupation	Industrialist
Known for	Fall River Iron Works
Spouse	Abby W. Durfee
Children	7

Colonel Richard Borden (1795–1874) was undoubtedly the most influential person in the early history of the city of Fall River, Massachusetts. He co-founded the Fall River Iron Works in 1821, and later built several early cotton mills, as well as the Fall River Line, Fall River Gas Company, the Fall River Railroad, banks and other businesses. The Borden family would dominate the economic and civic life of Fall River into the early 20th century.

Early life

When the Town of Fall River was established in 1803, the Borden family had been well established in the area for over a century. In 1714, Colonel Richard's ancestor (also named Richard) would purchase land along the falls of the Quequechan River from Benjamin Church, along with a saw mill, a grist mill and a fulling mill. Eventually the Borden family would acquire the water rights of the entire Quequechan River valley, and its tremendous potential.

Richard Borden began working in a grist mill at age fifteen. Most of the area's corn was ground at his mill. He became adept in the task of sailing and boating in the Narragansett Bay, as part of the grist mill business. He also operated a saw mill adjacent to the grist mill during these years.^[1]

Richard Borden acquired the rank of "colonel" in the local militia in 1828.^[2]

In 1828, Richard married Abby Walker Durfee. Together they had seven children- two daughters and five sons. Three of their sons would continue in their father's footsteps and become involved in the Fall River textile business; Thomas James Borden (1832–1902), Richard Baxter Borden (1834–1906) and Matthew Challoner Durfee Borden (1842–1912).

Industrial pioneer

In 1821, Richard Borden established the Fall River Iron Works, along with Maj. Bradford Durfee at the lower part of the Quequechan River. Bradford Durfee was a shipwright, and Richard Borden was the owner of a grist mill. After an uncertain start, in which some early investors pulled out, the Fall River Iron Works was incorporated in 1825, with $200,000 in capital. The Iron Works began producing nails, bar stock, and other items such as bands for casks in the nearby New Bedford whaling industry. They soon gained a reputation for producing nails of high quality, and business flourished. By 1845, the company was valued at $960,000. In 1827, Col. Borden began regular steamship service to Providence, Rhode Island.^[3]

The Iron Works would continue play an important role in the early development of the textile industry in Fall River. Richard Borden later constructed the Metacomet Mill in 1847, which today is the oldest remaining textile mill in the City, located on Anawan Street.

Other businesses

Colonel Richard Borden also established the first railroad line to serve Fall River, The Fall River Branch Railroad, was incorporated in 1844 and opened in 1845 to Myricks Junction, with a connection over the to Boston via Mansfield via the Taunton Branch Railroad. However, wanting a more direct route to Boston, Borden opened a new line in 1846 connecting with the Old Colony Railroad at South Braintree via Middleborough and Bridgewater.^[4] The Fall River Branch Railroad was merged with the Middleborough Railroad Corportation and the Randolph & Bridgewater Railroad Corportation to become the Fall River Railroad Company.

In 1847, regular steamship service to New York City began as the Bay State Steamboat Company, later known as the Fall River Line. It was America's most luxurious steamship line connecting rail travelers from Boston to Manhattan. It would operate until 1937.

Legacy

Richard Borden Mill (1968 photo)

Three of Richard Borden's sons would carry on their father's tradition in the family's businesses. In 1871, his eldest son, Colonel Thomas James Borden (1832–1902) would build the Richard Borden Mill, as a tribute to his father, and succeed his uncle Jefferson as agent of the Print Works, as well as numerous other concerns.

Richard Baxter Borden (1834–1906) would serve as either president, director and treasurer of several mills, banks and insurance companies.

Matthew C.D. Borden (1842–1912) would eventually take over the American Printing Company in 1887.^[5]

See also

• Fall River Iron Works
• History of Fall River, Massachusetts
• Fall River Line
• Matthew Borden
• Old Colony Railroad

External links

• Article on Richard Borden

References

1. ^ A Centennial History of Fall River, Mass.
2. ^ Richard Borden Bio; History of Bristol County
3. ^ Herald News Article on Fall River Iron Works
4. ^ Fall River Railroad
5. ^ The Run of the Mills, Steve Dunwell, 1978

Persondata
Name	Borden, Richard
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1795-04-12
Place of birth	Freetown, Massachusetts
Date of death	1874-02-25
Place of death	Fall River, Massachusetts